The Upa Lokayukta Justice Subash B Adi on Tuesday directed the Public Works Department Chief Engineer (Communication and Building), South, to ensure fire safety measures in all high-rise government buildings.
He also instructed the Karnataka Fire Services Department to conduct an inspection and suggest fire safety measures in such buildings. Justice Adi directed the two departments to submit an action taken report within two months.
When asked about lack of fire safety measures at government buildings, Deputy Director of Karnataka Fire Services Department stated that the PWD, which takes up construction of buildings to house government offices, does not obtain a no objection certificate from the Fire Department.
Major structures such as Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and many multi-storey buildings lack fire safety measures as NOCs were not obtained while constructing them. Most government offices do not have fire safety measures, he said.
He also instructed the Karnataka Fire Services Department to conduct an inspection and suggest fire safety measures in such buildings. Justice Adi directed the two departments to submit an action taken report within two months.
When asked about lack of fire safety measures at government buildings, Deputy Director of Karnataka Fire Services Department stated that the PWD, which takes up construction of buildings to house government offices, does not obtain a no objection certificate from the Fire Department.
Major structures such as Vidhana Soudha, Vikasa Soudha and many multi-storey buildings lack fire safety measures as NOCs were not obtained while constructing them. Most government offices do not have fire safety measures, he said.
The officers told the Upa Lokayukta that the Fire Department on its own had inspected a few buildings and had suggested fire safety measures. However, the measures suggested have not been implemented. A few government structures need immediate fire safety measures,
In response, the PWD Chief Engineer said that there was no procedure to obtain a sanction plan or licence for construction of government structures. The government has realised the seriousness of ensuring fire safety measures at its buildings and has earmarked Rs 10 crore in the budget in this regard.
Structures such as Visvesvaraya Tower, Technical Education Department building, CMM court building, City Civil Court complex and High Court building lack the fire safety measures. The PWD has engaged services of the former director of Karnataka Fire Department to ensure fire safety measures, he said. An action plan is being prepared to ensure fire safety measures in all government buildings, he added.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/431279/039most-govt-offices-lack-fire.html
In response, the PWD Chief Engineer said that there was no procedure to obtain a sanction plan or licence for construction of government structures. The government has realised the seriousness of ensuring fire safety measures at its buildings and has earmarked Rs 10 crore in the budget in this regard.
Structures such as Visvesvaraya Tower, Technical Education Department building, CMM court building, City Civil Court complex and High Court building lack the fire safety measures. The PWD has engaged services of the former director of Karnataka Fire Department to ensure fire safety measures, he said. An action plan is being prepared to ensure fire safety measures in all government buildings, he added.
http://www.deccanherald.com/content/431279/039most-govt-offices-lack-fire.html
